Man Rescued After Falling In Icy Pond: Lemont Fire District

LEMONT, IL — A man was rescued from an icy pond Feb. 8 in unincorporated Lemont, the Lemont Fire Protection District said. The district received a report of a man who had fallen into icy water and was unable to get out at 4:53 p.m. Feb. 8.

The district said fire crews arrived on scene and found the man in six feet of water, hanging onto an ice shelf about 50 feet from shore.

One firefighter put on an ice rescue suit before arriving; the district said these immersion suites provide flotation and hypothermia protection. The firefighter was in the water with the man seconds after arriving on scene.

Another firefighter assisted in an immersion suit, and they were able to enter the water and secure the man with a rescue rope and harness, while other firefighters on shore pulled the rope in, the district said. Within three minutes of their arrival, rescue crews had the man out of the water.

The district said the man was taken to the ambulance to be assessed, warmed and dried.

A total of 10 firefighter/paramedics, staffing two engines, one ambulance, and one water rescue unit responded to the scene along with two command officers. The district said mutual aid from Northwest Homer and multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in the rescue.

Northwest Homer and Lemont had just conducted its annual ice water rescue training the week before, the district said.

The Lemont Fire Protection District reminds residents of the risks of venturing onto icy ponds. Even ice that appears solid can be weakened by current or have unsafe areas due to changing water levels. If you see someone fall through the ice, immediately call 911 for help.